conventional long form: Republic
of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal

Capital:

Dakar. Population: 2.51 million
(official estimate 2005).

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania

Area:

196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles).

Description:
Senegal is bordered by Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau to the
south, Mali to the east and Mauritania to the north, and encloses
the confederated state of The Gambia. To the west lies the Atlantic
Ocean. Most land is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, except
for the Fouta Djallon foothills in the southeast and the Bambouk
Mountains on the Mali border. On the coast between Dakar and St
Louis is a strip of shifting dunes. South of Dakar there are shallow
estuaries along the coastline, which is fringed by palm trees. In
the northern part of the country, south of the Senegal Basin, lies
the arid Fouta Ferlo, a hot dry Sahelian plain with little
vegetation.

Population:

12.4 million (UN estimate 2007).

language: The official language is
French. There are many local languages, principally Wolof. Other
languages include Pulaar, Mandinka and Diola.

Economy - overview:Senegal is the second most industrialised country in French West
Africa. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining
concessions for iron, zircon and gold with foreign companies. There
are thought to be oil reserves both on- and offshore.
The country's main export commodity is groundnuts, and the farming
industry also produces millet, sorghum, maize, rice and vegetables
for domestic consumption. Fish products have become an important
export commodity, and the government also accumulates revenues from
the sale of fishing licences to other countries, mostly from the EU.
Current annual GDP growth is 4.8% (2007), inflation stands at 5.8%
(2007), but unemployment remains high at 48% (2007).

Economy: Senegal is the second most industrialised country in French West
Africa. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining
concessions for iron, zircon and gold with foreign companies. There
are thought to be oil reserves both on- and offshore.
The country's main export commodity is groundnuts, and the farming
industry also produces millet, sorghum, maize, rice and vegetables
for domestic consumption. Fish products have become an important
export commodity, and the government also accumulates revenues from
the sale of fishing licences to other countries, mostly from the EU.
Current annual GDP growth is 4.8% (2007), inflation stands at 5.8%
(2007), but unemployment remains high at 48% (2007).